California Outdoors Q&A

Shark fin prohibition
California Outdoors Q&A
Carrie Wilson, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

Question: According to the shark fin regulations, skate wings cannot be possessed as they are the expanded pectoral fins of an elasmobranch. I don’t understand this because the skates are still legal to catch and the only part of a skate that is eatable as far as I know is the wing. How do I prepare the skate if it’s...
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Hunting chipmunks
California Outdoors Q&A
Carrie Wilson, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

Question: I was recently in a conversation about hunting chipmunks and we are curious if it’s legal to do? I do not plan on hunting them, just want to know. (Michael C.) Answer: Chipmunks are classified as nongame mammals, which generally would mean they may not be taken. However, chipmunks may be taken because California Code of Regulations Title 14, section...
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Are Abalone Report Cards Used to Set New Quotas?
California Outdoors Q&A
Carrie Wilson, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

Question: I was just filing my abalone harvest report, which rather than being due the end of January like before, is now not due until April 1. While I appreciate the extra time and opportunity to still fill out my report when I go to buy new tags for the season opener, I am wondering if this means my harvest...
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Wildlife came with the property, so leave them alone
California Outdoors Q&A
Carrie Wilson, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Question: My neighbor has lake front property and regularly chases away (or throws sticks and pine cones at) Canada geese during the nesting season. His intent is to keep them off his dock, but he extends his harassment about one-tenth of a mile up the beach on several others’ private ground and PG&E property. Is this legal? I figure the...
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Interfering with Fishing/Hunting vs. Hazing from Private Property
California Outdoors Q&A
Carrie Wilson, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Question: My girlfriend and I were recently surf fishing on a local beach when some other “fishermen” showed up demanding we leave as it was their fishing spot. Things escalated quickly when one of the anglers cast his line over mine and intentionally cut it. From there the situation degraded with the other party making threats of death and bodily...
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How do hunters deal with fleas and ticks?
California Outdoors Q&A
Carrie Wilson, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

Question: I’m not a hunter but am wondering if there is a concern for hunters having to deal with fleas and/or ticks jumping off a cooling carcass when field dressing the animal? (Kelly B., Los Angeles) Answer: Many animals have fleas and ticks and hunters are encouraged to protect themselves from bites by using appropriate sprays or products to reduce the...
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